NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — At long last, a “near-normal” commute was expected Wednesday, in the wake of a derailment that damaged tracks and switches.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Wednesday night that LIRR customers should anticipate a “near-normal rush hour” Wednesday morning, following the “expected completion” of repairs.

Earlier Tuesday night, the LIRR said repairs to the tracks and switches that were damaged in the derailment were “progressing rapidly.”

The derailment happened on Monday afternoon. For the evening rush Tuesday, the LIRR canceled 21 out of 130 trains that normally originate at Penn Station.

As CBS 2’s Hazel Sanchez reported Tuesday night, commuters said the evening commute at Penn Station was a gamble. Steve Orlando said he lucked out and made it home on Monday, but as for getting home Tuesday, all he could say was, “Fingers crossed.”

Added Rockville Centre resident Michelle Sabatiele: “It’s very frustrating. It’s becoming more and more often that there’s complications on the Long Island Rail Road.”

The two cars that were damaged during Monday’s derailment had long since been removed Tuesday night, but repairs continued on 500 feet of damaged track and eight switches. Thus, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said, cancellations were necessary.

“About 500 feet of tracks and eight switches damaged in the derailment, and Amtrak crews are working diligently now to make those repairs,” said LIRR spokesman Joe Calderone.

“It’s horrible. It’s horrible. Everybody’s rushing around. They don’t know what’s going on,” said Stacey Thompson of Levittown. “It’s like cattle. Everybody’s rushing for the train pushing. The worst comes out of people when this stuff happens.”

Meanwhile, the LIRR is looking at the possibility that a malfunctioning switch may have contributed to the derailment, Calderone told 1010 WINS.